Tire-wheel or tire-rim assembly carrier



Nov. 29, 1949 K. c. CLARK 2,489,561

TIRE-WHEEL `OB TIRE-RIM ASSEMBLY CARRIER Filed Nov. 26, 1946 Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 29, 1949 K. c. CLARK TIR-WHEEL OR TIRE-RIM ASSEMBLY CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 26, 1946 ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 29, l1949 l UNITED STATES OFFICE TIRE-WHEEL rR TIRE-RIM ASSEMBLY CARRIER .wheel or tire-rim .assembly carrier, which is an improvement over the Auxiliary wheel land tire carrier, covered in my United States Letters Patent No. 2,399,207, granted April 30, 1946, and also my Simplified auxiliary wheel and tire carrier, Patent No. 2,378,911, issued .June 26, 1945,.

Both or these patents relate to a wheel and tire carrier, in which a swingable arm is mounted on the chassis frame of a vehicle for movement in a horizontal plane. This arm has a platform hinged thereto on which an auxiliary wheel and tire are supported. The platform is close enough to the ground so that the tire will rest on the latter during the wheel-applying or wheel-removiing operations. The arm and platform are movable to present the wheel and its tire in a horizontal position underneath the vehicle body during normal travel. However, when the wheeland tire are to be removed, the .arm and platform are arranged to be moved into a position alongside the vehicle to allow the wheel and tire to be withdrawn from the platform, or another Wheel and tire assembly applied thereto.

It is proposed in the present invention to provide improved mounting means for securing the swivel -arm to the chassis frame; and also improved structure for connecting the free end of the arm to the chassis frame.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a carrier that will mount either a wheeltire assembly thereon, or a tire-rim assembly. I provide a platform that is adjustable so as to accommodate wheel-tire assemblies or tire-rim assemblies of various sizes.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification continues, and the novel features will be set forth in the claims hereunto annexed.

For a better understanding of my invention,

reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a semi-trailer showing my carrier applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view disclosing the rst step of removing a Wheel-tire assembly from the carrier;

Figure 3 illustrates the swivel arm moved into 2 a position to clear the assembly from the chassis body;

Figure 4 discloses the next step of removing the assembly from the carrier;

Figure 5 shows the final step of. removing the .assembly Vfrom the carrier, or the initial step in placing a wheel-tire assembly thereon;

Figure 6 is an enlarged side elevation of my carrier and showing fragmentary portions of the chassis frame;

Figures 7 and 8 are horizontal transverse sectional vievvs taken along the lines VII-VII and VIH-VIII, respectively, of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is an end view taken along the line IX--IX of Figure 6 and showing a wheel-tire .assembly in broken lines as being supported on the carrier;

Figure l0 isa horizontal sectional view taken along the line X-X of Figure 6,; and

Figure 1l is a View similar to Figure 9, but lshowing a tire-rim assembly applied to the carrier.

While I have lshown .only the preferred forms of my invention, it should be understood that various changes, or modications, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

Referring to the drawings in detail, I show a vehicle indicated generally at A, which may be a truck, trailer, semi-trailer or the like. It includes a chassis frame B for supporting the body C of the vehicle. 'Ihe body projects laterally beyond the chassis frame i-n the usual manner, as suggested in Figure 5. The parts thus far described are conventional, and lI do not desire to be limited in the particular type of vehicle to which my carrier is attached.

In the drawings, I show a swivel bracket D, which includes a channel-shaped cross-sectional portion as shown in Figure 8. The web of the `channel is indicated at l and the flanges at 2. The channel flanges are fashioned with outwardly-turned feet 3, which are secured to the chassis frame B by rivets 4, or other suitable vfastening means.

,It will be noted from Figure (i that the .swivel bracket D is secured to the chassis frame `in upright position, with its lower portion 5 projecting below the chassis frame. This arrangement eX- poses the groove 6 of the channel in the lower portion of the swivel bracket. A tubular bearing is disposed in the exposed groove portion and has opposing lugs B thereon, which are Welded, or otherwise secured, to the anges 2 of the swivel bracket (see Figures 6 and 8).

I provide a substantially L-shaped swivel arm E having its upright end 9 projecting upwardly through the bearing into a position above the latter. A collar Ill is fastened to the upright end 9 above the tubular bearing by means of a bearing pin IFI and cotter keys I2. The collar I overlies and bears against the top of the bearing 'I to limit downward movement of the swivel arm.

Particular attention is called to the fact that the end I4 is mounted for swinging in a horizontal plane through 360 of movement. The bearing pin II and collar I may be removed through the exposed lower end of the channel groove 6 to permit a new swivel arm E to be substituted, without requiring removal of the swivel bracket D. Also, the latter may be riveted, or otherwise fastened, to the chassis frame B in a shop. At any time thereafter, the swivel arm E may be attached to the swivel bracket D by merely slipping the end 9 thereof upwardly in the tubular bearing 'I and anchoring the collar I' in place.

The swivel bracket D may be attached to any suitable part of the vehicle, and the 360 of swinging will allow the arm to be extended or retracted. It will be observed that the horizontal end I4 of the swivel arm may be moved into parallel relation with respect to the chassis frame B, as shown in Figures l and 2, or swung into a position extending at right angles to the chassis frame, as in Figure 5.

The free end of the swivel arm carries a tiltable platform indicated generally at F. This platform includes a base plate i5, which is channel-shaped in transverse section. A pair of ears I6 are welded, or otherwise secured, to the web Ia of the base plate so as to extend therebelow in straddling relation with the free end of the swivel arm. Spacers il are fastened to the swivel arm and register with the ears I6. A horizontal pin I8 passes through the ears I6, spacers I1 and the end I4 of the swivel arm.

The construction just described permits the base plate I5 to be moved into a horizontal position overlying the swivel arm end I4 (see Figures l and 6) or swung to or toward an upright position (see Figure 5). It will be noted from Figure 6 that the ears I6 are mounted off-center relative to the base plate I5, and the reason therefor will be set forth as the specification continues.

A pair of substantially Z-shaped spacer plates G are adjustably connected to the web I5a of the base plate by bolts I9. These spacer plates may be moved toward or away from each other, since I provide a series of openings (see Figure 10) through which the bolts IS may be passed. Guide bars 2I are welded to opposite sides of each spacer plate G for movement therewith and to extend upwardly and outwardly relative to the base plate F. These guide bars reinforce the angular-arranged arms of the Z, as shown in Figures 9 and 11.

When a disc wheel H is applied to the tiltable platform F, the conical-shaped hub 22 of the wheel bears against the bars 2 l. The latter cause the wheel to shift into a central position with respect to the tiltable platform F. Each spacer plate G has an opening 23 therein through which a J-shaped hook J passes. The lower end of each hook is threaded as at '24, for receiving a nut 25 below its spacer plate. The over-turned upper ends 26 engage with a rim 27 of the disc wheel and clamp the latter against the spacer plates. The hub of the disc wheel is apertured at 28 to permit the J -hooks to pass therethrough (see Figures 4 and 9).

A channel-shaped lever plate K is welded, or otherwise secured, to the base plate l5, as at 29 (see Figures 9 and 11). This plate serves as a lever for swinging the tiltable platform F about its horizontal pin I8. When the plate K is disposed in upright position, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 6 and 10, the platform F is horizontally arranged above the swivel arm E. Upon swinging the lever plate K toward a horizontal position for wheel-changing operations, as in Figures 4 and 5, the platform F is swung toward vertical position. The inclination of the platform F is limited by the base plate I5 striking against an inclined end 35 of the swivel arm E (see Figure The chassis frame B has an anchorage bracket M secured thereto. This bracket is substantially channel-shaped in cross-section and has feet 3| thereon, which are fastened to the chassis frame by rivets 32, or other fastening means. The bracket M is disposed in upright position and has studs 33 xed to and projecting forwardly therefrom. The studs are designed to pass through openings 34 formed in the lever plate K, and nuts 33a are used for drawing the plate K and bracket M together.

I wish to point out that there is a distinct advantage of having the studs 33 fixed to the bracket M. When the driver moves the lever K toward the bracket M, it is a simple matter to move the openings 34 over the studs. It would be much more difficult to attempt to align openings in the lever K and bracket M and then insert bolts through the aligned openings.

When the lever plate K is brought up against the anchorage bracket M, the web 35 and flanges 36 of the former embrace and contact with the web 31 and flanges 38 of the latter, as clearly shown in Figure 7. The lever K projects through a central opening 39 in the disc wheel and supports the weight of the wheel H and its tire L when the lever is fastened to the anchorage bracket M. Also, the lever K prevents the swivel arm E from swinging when the lever is secured to the bracket M.

Having thus described the various parts of my carrier, the operation thereof may be summarized briefly as follows:

Assuming that a wheel-tire assembly H-L is arranged on the carrier in the manner shown in Figure l, and the driver desires to utilize this assembly on one o f the wheels of the vehicle A, the first step is to remove the nuts 33a by using a conventional standard socket or open-end type wrench fill. This step is shown in Figure 2. At this time, the swivel varm E is parallel to the chassis frame B and the wheel-tire assembly is disposed underneath the body C of the vehicle.

As the next step, the driver grasps the lever K and swings the wheel-tire assembly outwardly, the arm E turning in the bracket D. Now the tire is tipped to or toward a vertical position by merely pushing down on its outer edge, or by manually swinging the lever K. During this movement, the platform F rocks on its pivot pin I8 until the base plate I5 strikes the inclined end 30 of the arm E (see Figure 6). At this time the tire L will rest on the roadway M, as disclosed in Figure 4, and the swivel arm E will extend at substantially right angles to the chassis frame, as in Figure 5.

Next, the driver unloosens the nuts 25 on the J-hooks and disengages the over-turned ends 26 :esa-er `of. these hooks' from the rixrr` 21 ot the? wheelitireassembly.V The latter now isar'emovedl from the. lever K,. asv inFi'gure 5f,- and rolled into.- position for VbeingV applied. to: the.- desired axle of the vehicle.

-The `reverse operation; is. followedv when a wheel-tire assembly is to be placed on*` the. carrier. As the assembly is: placed against. the spacer plates G, the conical-shaped hub 22' of the disc wheel will strike. against the: guide? bars 2| so. as to center thewheel; relative tc the base plate l5. The J-hooks may' beV engaged withr the rim. 2l at this time, or else the. lever! K maybe moved manually in` order toY present the wheeltire assembly inY horizontal position and then the J-hooks applied.

kThe olf-center. mounting. ofA the: base` plate` |:5 on the arm E` materially facilitates the movementof the wheel-tire assembly from vertical to horizontalposition. Allthat is required isto lift aV few pounds and. thereafter the weight of the tire and wheel lifts itself.

The construction and operation of the carrier illustrated in Figure 1.1 is identical with. thatv just described. In this View,v a rim. N and tire O taken from an artillery or spoked wheel are shown as being mounted on my carrier and clamped thereto by the J-hooks. The same carrier will support a discv wheel-tirey assembly or a rim-tire assembly. The spacer plates GV may be adjusted for carrying wheels or rims of various diameters.

I claim:

1. In a tire carrier; a swivel bracket including a channel-shaped portion; means for securing the bracket to a chassis frame in uprightposition with part of the bracket projecting below the chassis frame; a bearing fastened tothe bracket and disposed in a lower exposed part of the channel in spaced relation with said frame; a substantially L-s-haped swivel4 arm having one end thereof projecting upwardly through the bearing into a position above the latter; and its other end arranged for swinging in a substantially horizontalV plane; and a collar removably anchored to the upper end of the arm and riding on the top of the bearing to limit downward movement of the arm; the collar being insertable into the exposed channel or removable therefrom.

2. In a tire carrier; a swivel. bracket including a channel-shaped portion; means for securing the bracket to a chassis frame in upright position with part of they bracket projecting below thel chassis frame; a bearing fastened to the bracket and disposed in a lower exposed part of the channel in spaced relation with'said frame; a substantially L-shaped swivel arm having one end thereof projecting upwardly through the bearing into a position above the latter, and its other end arranged below the chassis frame for swinging in a substantially horizontal plane through 360 of movement; and a collar removably anchored to the upper end of the arm and riding on the top of the bearing to limit downward movement of the arm; the collar being insertable into the exposed channel or removable therefrom.

3. In a tire carrier; a swivel bracket, including a channel-shaped cross-sectional portion; means for securing the bracket to a chassis frame in upright position, with part of the bracket projecting below the chassis frame; a tubular bearing sleeve disposed within the lower part of the channel and having lugs thereon anchored to the bracket; al'substantially-V L-shaped swivel arm; hav-ingl one end thereof. projecting upwardlythrough the bearing. sleeve: into aA position above the latter, and itsv other. end arrangedv for'swinging in. a substantially horizontal plane.; a collar.v encircling thek upper end, of` the' arm and riding onA the top of the bearing sleeve; and a removable-pintor anchoring the collar; to'- thearm-t0` limit downward movement of the. latter.,VV the channelof the bracket giving access: to the pin and collar for insertion or withdrawal of. the pin. andY collar.

4. In a tire carrier; a swivel bracket; means for securingl this bracket to a chassis frame. in upright position; a substantially L-shaped. swivel arm having one endV thereof journalled. inthe swivel bracket, and its free end. arranged for swinging in a substantially horizontaly plane; means for limiting downward movement of the swivel arm relative to the swivel bracket; a platform arranged at the free end of the swivel, arm for supporting a tire-wheel assembly or a tirerim assembly; a channel-shaped plate extending from the platform for passing through. either assembly; an anchoragev bracket also secured. to` the chassis frame, and including a channelshaped cross-sectional portion;v the anges and web of the channel-shaped plate being movable into a position to embrace and contact theflanges and web respectively, of the anchorage bracket; and means: for removably fastening; the channel.- shaped plate to the anchorage bracket.

i 5. In av tire carrier; a swivel. bracket; means for securing the bracket to.y a'ohassis frame in upright position; a substantially l.shaped swivel arm having one end thereof yjournalled in the swivel bracket, and its free end. arrangedY for swinging in a substantially horizontal planet; means for limiting downward movement of. the swivel: arm relative to the swivelbracket; a platform arranged at the free end. of the swivel arm for supporting. a tire-wheel assembly or a` tire.- rim assembly; a channel-shaped plate extending from the platform for passing through either assembly; an anchorage bracket also secured te the chassis frame, and including. a channel'- shaped cross-sectional portion; the flanges and web` of the channel-shapedA plate being movable into a position to embrace and contact the flanges and web, respectively, or the anchorage bracket.; studsy iixed to the anchorage bracket to extend therefrom, and project through openings in the plate when the latter abuts` the anchorage bracket; and nuts mader tc be threaded-ion. the ends of the studs projecting beyond the plate.

6. In a tire carrier; a swivel bracket; means for securing this bracket to a chassis frame in upright position; a substantially L-shaped swivel arm having one end thereof journalled in the swivel bracket, and its free end arranged for swinging in a substantially horizontal plane; means for limiting downward movement of the swivel arm relative to the swivel bracket; a platform having an off-center swinging connection with the free end of the swivel arm; the platform being arranged for supporting a tire-wheel assembly or a tire-rim assembly, and being swingable from a horizontal position overlying the swivel arm into an inclined position where the tire will rest on a roadway; a channelshaped lever plate fixed to and extending from the platform for swinging the latter and arranged for passing through either assembly; an anchorage bracket also secured to the chassis frame, and including a channel-shaped cross-sectional 7. portion; vthe flanges and web of the channelshaped lever plate being movable into a position to embrace and contact the anges and web, respectively, of the anchorage bracket; and means for removably fastening the channelshaped lever plate to the anchorage bracket.

7. In a tire carrier; a swivel bracket; means for securing this bracket to a chassis frame in upright position; a substantially L-shaped swivel arm having one end thereof journalled in the swivel bracket, and its free end arranged for swinging in a substantially horizontal plane; means for limiting downward movement of the swivel arm relative to the swivel bracket; a platform having an olf-center swinging connnection with the free end of the swivel arm; the platform being arranged for supporting a tire-wheel assembly or a tire-rim assembly, and being swingable from a horizontal position overlying the swivel arm into an inclined position where the tire will rest on a roadway; the free end of the swivel arm being inclined to strike against the `platform when the latter reaches a predetermined inclination; a channel-shaped lever plate fixed to and extending from the platform for swinging the latter and arranged for passing through either assembly; an anchorage bracket also secured to the chassis frame, andfincluding a channel-shaped cross-sectional portion; the flanges and web of the channel-shaped lever plate being movable into a position to embrace and contact the anges and web, respectively, of the anchorage bracket; and means for removably fastening the channel-shaped lever plate to the anchorage bracket.

8. In a tire carrier; a swivel arm; means for securing one end of the arm to a chassis frame with the other end of the arm movable in a substantially horizontal plane; a platform having an off-center swinging connection with the free end of the arm, and being movable from a horizontal position overlying the arm into an inclined position; guides extending upwardly and outwardly relative to the platform to engage with a conical hub of a disc wheel as the latter is placed on the platform to shift the wheel into a central position relative to the platform.

9. In a tire carrier; a swivel arm; means for securing one end of the arm to a chassis frame with the other end of the arm movable in a substantially horizontal plane; a platform having an off-center swinging connection with the free end of the arm, and being movable from a horizontal position overlying the arm into an inclined position; A"guides vextending upwardly and outwardly relative to the platform to engage with a Vconical hub of a disc wheel as the latter is placed on the platform to shift the wheel into a central position relative to the platform, and means on the platform for clampingthe wheel to the platform.

l0. In a tire carrier; a swivel arm; a platform having a swinging connection with the arm, and being movable on a horizontal axis from a positionV overlying the arm into an inclined position; spacer plates adjustably fastened to the platform and being movable toward and away from each other; the spacer plates being made for supporting a tire-disc wheel assembly; a plurality of J-shaped hooks adjustably connected to the spacer plates for clamping the assembly thereto; and guides extending upwardly and outwardly relative to the platformto engage with the disc wheel as the latter is placed on the spacer plates to shift the wheel into a central position relative to the platform.

11. In a tire carrier; a swivel arm; a platform supported by the arm; substantially Z-shaped spacer plates adjustably fastened to the platform and being movable toward and away from each other; the spacer plates being made for supporting a tire-disc wheel assembly; a J-shaped hook associated with each spacer plate and being adjustably connected thereto, and having a turnedover upper end for engaging with a rim of the wheel for clamping the latter to its spacer plate; and a guide fixed to a side of each spacer plate to reinforce the latter; the guides extending upwardly and outwardly relative to the platform to engage with the disc wheel as the latter is placed on the spacer plates to shift the wheel into a central position relative to the platform.

Y KENNETH C. CLARK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED y STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,550,447 Neely Aug. 18, 1925 2,378,911 Clark l June 26, 1945 2,400,274 Ullman May 14, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 19,266 Great Britain 1906 749,561 France May 8, 1933 

